Traditional zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical methods based on morphological identification of the excavated faunal and floral remains have been broadly used in reconstructing ancient subsistence economies. Howev...
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Traditional zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical methods based on morphological identification of the excavated faunal and floral remains have been broadly used in reconstructing ancient subsistence economies. However, the accuracy and reliability of these methods rely heavily on the preservation state of the remains. By sequencing the ancient DNA of plants,animals, and microorganisms preserved in sediment, sedimentary ancient DNA(sedaDNA) now offers a novel approach for reconstructing the taxa composition dated back to hundreds of thousands of years. Yet, its application in open-air archaeological sites is rarely reported. In this study, we attempted to apply sedaDNA shotgun metagenomics on the archaeological deposits of the Khog Gzung site(an open-air site dated to 3160–2954 cal yr BP) on the Tibetan Plateau, and then compared the reconstructed taxonomic composition to the unearthed remains. Results showed that most of the crops and domestic animals identified by the two approaches, such as barley(Hordeum vulgare) and sheep(Ovis aries), are in general consistent. Some species, such as foxtail millet(Setaria italica), however, were only detected by sedaDNA. In addition, a variety of microorganisms were also detected by the sedaDNA. The two approaches combined revealed diversified food resources at the Khog Gzung site, which included crops such as millet, barley and wheat, domestic animals such as sheep and cattle, and likely also wild animals from fishing and hunting. Our data proves that sedaDNA has a great potential in reconstructing the faunal and floral compositions from archaeological deposits, therefore laying the foundation for its border applications.
动物考古和植物考古是重建古代食谱的重要手段.对出土动植物遗存的种属鉴定是动植物考古研究的基础,但其鉴定效率严重依赖于动植物遗存的保存状态.沉积物古DNA(sedimentary ancient DNA)是一种新兴的技术手段,可以从数十万年以来的沉积...
详细信息
动物考古和植物考古是重建古代食谱的重要手段.对出土动植物遗存的种属鉴定是动植物考古研究的基础,但其鉴定效率严重依赖于动植物遗存的保存状态.沉积物古DNA(sedimentary ancient DNA)是一种新兴的技术手段,可以从数十万年以来的沉积物中提取出古代动植物和微生物的遗传信息,进而恢复当时生态环境中的物种组成.但目前将沉积物古DNA技术应用于旷野遗址的研究还鲜有报道.本文尝试将沉积物古DNA技术应用于西藏廓雄遗址(3160~2954cal a BP)的调查剖面,并与出土的动植物遗存进行对比.结果发现,在大麦(Hordeum vulgare)和绵羊(Ovis aries)等农作物与家养动物的鉴定上,两种方法可以互相印证,但遗址堆积物古DNA中还检测到大植物遗存中没有发现的粟(Setaria italica),以及多种与农作物伴生的微生物.本研究通过动植物常规鉴定方法与沉积物古DNA分析,揭示了廓雄遗址先民的部分食物组成,其中包括:粟类、麦类等谷物,绵羊、黄牛等家养动物,以及渔猎的野生动物等.本项研究表明,沉积物古DNA技术具有通过旷野遗址文化堆积物复原其中动植物种属信息的潜力,为其进一步应用于植物考古和动物考古研究奠定了基础.
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